Even if

[Ju]

"It's worth spending time with kids even if it's tiring."

Can I omit 'if' in the above sentence?
If not, what is the differences between "even" and "Even if"?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

No, you can't omit it in that sentence. You could replace it with "though" but you need a word between "even" and "it's".

 

[kadioguy]

No, you can't omit it in that sentence. You could replace it with "though" but you need a word between "even" and "it's".

"It's worth spending time with kids even though it's tiring."

Why do we need a word between "even" and "it's"?

 

[Matthew Wai]

We need either 'if' or 'though' between 'even' and 'it's'.

I think 'if' should be omitted in a different context: 'Even spending time with kids is tiring because they are naughty'.

 

[kadioguy]

You could replace it with "though" but you need a word between "even" and "it's".

I take it to mean 'You could replace it with "though", but you (still) need a word between "even" and "it's"'.

This is why I asked my question.

 

[Roman55]

"It's worth spending time with kids even if it's tiring."

Can I omit 'if' in the above sentence?
If not, what is the differences between "even" and "Even if"?

Thanks.

Even if is a phrase with a particular meaning. Even on its own means something else. Have a look here, and scroll down to phrases.

 

[bubbha]

Also keep in mind that "even though" and "even if" are different. "even though" implies fact, and "even if" implies contrary-to-fact.

"Even though he is 190 cm tall, he still fits comfortably in the airplane seat." (he is 190 cm tall)
"Even if he had a million dollars, I would not marry him." (he does not have a million dollars)

In both cases, you must have a word between "even" and "he". (Another possible word is "when".) I notice that a lot of English learners omit the needed word.

There is a different structure where no "if" or "though" is needed:

"Even he was able to pass the test." This implies that the test is so easy that he (presumably a not-very-competent person when it comes to exams) is also able to pass the test. The word "he" would be stressed.

Note that this is an independent sentence. "even though" and "even if" are used in dependent clauses.

 

[kadioguy]

No, you can't omit it in that sentence. You could replace it with "though" but you need a word between "even" and "it's".

I have to state my point more clearly.

Once we replace it (if) with "though", we will get the following:

"It's worth spending time with kids even though it's tiring."

So I don't think we will still need another word between "even" and "it's". :shock:

 

[kadioguy]

My two friends just told me that what you meant were the following:

a.
No, you can't omit it in that sentence, but you could replace it with "though", because you need a word between "even" and "it's".


b.
No, you can't omit it in that sentence. You could replace it with "though" but (you cannot omit it since) you need a word between "even" and "it's".

 

[Matthew Wai]

c.
No, you can't omit it in that sentence. You could replace it with "though". Anyway, you need a word between "even" and "it's".